James was charged with a number of offences of dishonesty. When he was charged with three further offences of dishonesty he was refused bail. A draft indictment was prepared which contained a number of new counts. The prosecutor applied to the magistrates' court for the new counts to be put to the applicant, for the old charges to be discharged and for the applicant to be remanded in custody. He also asked the court to note that, since there were new charges, there were correspondingly new custody time limits. James applied for judicial review on the ground that the so-called new charges were simply the old charges with amendments which amounted to changes of detail only. James came to you for advice.

 

Discuss with James whether it was legitimate to charge as a single information one activity even if that activity involves more than one act.

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James in legal practice charging multiple offenses as ... View the full answer